Take a Deep Breathe

This past weekend, Red Wing lost two young people in a horrible car accident. I know that everyone reading this has lived through a like experience. Young people gone too soon. Every town and city in every county in every state has lost young people, tragically, unexpectedly and without explanation.

My husband and I had a conversation last week about  the pros and cons of living in a small town. We had just run into an acquaintance who's husband had died too soon. My thought was, it was hard to deal with death  when living in a small town because there were constant reminders of those who had gone to early. Family members  to run into and empty spots or new faces in their workplace or favorite diner. We are too often confronted with what  the pain of loss.

Charley, my husband remembered when his father passed, how the community surrounded him with support and love and hot dishes. Being part of a small community where we all know each other was a tremendous help to his family in a difficult time.

I'll admit I don't have any right answers but I do know this, every time there is a tragic death, we all stop for a moment, take a quick breathe and think or say " That could have been me, or someone I loved"

and we push the thought out of our minds and get on with our lives. 

But, shouldn't it be different?

Instead of a quick breathe, we should stop -  take an ocean deep,  mile long, chest expanding, cheek filling, hold your breathe til it hurts breathe and very, very, slowly let it out. We should do it as many times as we have to, to truly ingest the belief that life is precious and comes without guarantees. We need to commit to being kinder, more caring, loving, approving and applauding to all, not just to those we love. Don't we owe that much to those who's lives were cut short and the families they left behind?

Stop, breathe deeply, think how lucky you are and try to make that a part of every day. I know that I am going to try.